PNPs Explained - What is it and How Does it Work?
Navigating Canada’s immigration system can feel like deciphering a complex puzzle, with various pieces that need to fit just right. One crucial piece is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Understanding and leveraging PNPs can significantly increase your chances of securing permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
What is a PNP?
Although Canada's federal government oversees immigration at a national level, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow individual provinces and territories to address their specific economic and demographic needs. Through these programs, provinces nominate candidates who possess the skills, education, or work experience needed to contribute to the local economy. PNPs are tailored to target specific groups, such as skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates, based on the unique priorities of each province.
Receiving a nomination from a PNP is an important step toward becoming a permanent resident of Canada, but it doesn’t guarantee PR on its own. After you’ve been nominated by a province, you’ll need to apply for permanent residence with the federal government.
Here's a simplified breakdown of the process:
Get a Provincial Nomination: Apply to a specific province or territory’s PNP and secure a nomination.
Submit a Permanent Residence Application: After being nominated, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. The process may vary depending on whether your PNP nomination is Express Entry-aligned or not.
Federal Review and Approval: The IRCC will evaluate your application according to federal immigration rules, including medical and security checks. Once approved, you will receive your Canadian Permanent Resident status.
Note: Some PNPs have their own points-based systems, similar to the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which are used to assess candidates.
History of PNPs
PNPs were launched in the late 1990s to help spread immigration benefits beyond big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Provinces wanted more control over who came to live and work in their areas, and the PNP gave them that power.
As PNPs have evolved, we’ve seen a shift in nominee profiles. More provinces, like Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, now prioritize applicants with Canadian work experience. Ontario and BC are seeing a rise in international student graduates, while Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan lean heavily on skilled trades and technical workers. Meanwhile, British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces bring in more professionals, and Manitoba focuses on lower-skilled workers.
These trends highlight how provinces shape their immigration strategies based on local economic needs—and how diverse Canada’s immigration landscape has become.
How PNPs Fit into Canada’s Immigration System
PNPs account for a significant portion of Canada’s immigration system. According to the 2024 Immigration Trgets, PNPs accounted for 24% of total PR targets.
Source: Notice – Supplementary Information for the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan
EE = Express Entry Economic - Other (12.8%): includes Federal Business programs, regional programs like the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and Caregiver programs. The largest portion, Non-Economic immigrants (39.8%), includes family sponsorships, refugees, and humanitarian programs.
In fact, the federal Govt. has a quota for the number of nominations that a Province can make in a year. This quota allocation is announced by the Federal Govt. in their Targeted Immigration Levels plan. Based on this plan, the federal government targeted:
110,000 PNPs out of ~280,000 economic immigrants for 2024
120,000 PNPs out of ~300,000 economic immigrants for 2025
120,000 PNPs out of ~300,000 economic immigrants for 2026
Thus, PNPs account for about 40% of total economic immigrant targets, which is substantial.
PNP Immigration Trends by Province (2000-2021)
Immigration through PNPs has been increasing over the years across all provinces.
Provinces in the first graph (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island) had a relatively modest increase in PNP immigration over the years (3,500+ in 2019), whereas provinces in graph 2 (Ontario, BC, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan) had much higher PNP immigration overtime (12,000+ in 2019).
Note: The graphs show economic immigration. Economic immigrants are individuals who move to Canada for employment or economic opportunities. There is also non economic immigration e.g family immigration or immigrating as refugees. These graphs specifically focus on economic immigration through PNPs. Economic immigrants can also immigrate through federal programs (Express Entry) or business immigration.
Percentage of New Economic Immigrants Coming Through PNPs (2019 vs. 2021)
Not every province has the same proportions of immigrants coming through PNPs. Provinces like Manitoba and Saskatchewan had a consistently high share of immigrants come through PNPs, while larger provinces like Ontario and BC saw a relatively smaller portion of their immigrants coming through PNPs. The data provides insights into how provinces leverage the PNP to meet their immigration and economic needs over time.
Guide to Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of the most effective ways to obtain permanent residency (PR) in Canada. This guide will take you through the process step by step, offering tips on selecting the right province, ensuring you meet eligibility criteria, and successfully submitting your application.
Step 1: Research and Select a Province
Each Canadian province has different PNP streams tailored to its economic and labor needs. Before applying, it’s crucial to research which province aligns best with your skills, work experience, and long-term goals. Factors such as the local job market, cost of living, lifestyle, and any family or connections in the province should be considered.
Step 2: Assess Eligibility
Eligibility factors often include:
Age: Some streams may favour younger applicants.
Education: You may need a diploma, degree, or relevant certification.
Work Experience: Many streams require work experience in high-demand occupations within the province.
Language Proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in English or French is often mandatory. Minimum scores on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) are usually required.
Some streams, like Express Entry-based streams, have higher thresholds for language proficiency and work experience, while Non-Express Entry streams may offer flexibility in these areas.
Make sure you check both provincial and federal eligibility criteria for the stream you're targeting, as both must be satisfied for a successful Express Entry aligned program application.
Step 3: Apply through Non-Express Entry or Express Entry PNP Streams
1. Non-Express Entry PNP Streams
If you don’t qualify for Express Entry or if a province offers a stream outside of Express Entry, you can apply through Non-Express Entry PNP streams. Here's the typical process:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): This signals your interest to immigrate to a specific province. EOIs are reviewed based on the province's current labor market needs or are based on a scoring criteria; the provinces do regular draws to select the highest scoring candidates or do targeted occupation draws.
Invitation to Apply: If your profile matches provincial criteria, you’ll receive an invitation to submit a full PNP application.
Provide Documentation: You’ll need to submit documents such as proof of work experience, educational credentials, and language test results.
Apply for Permanent Residence: Once you receive a provincial nomination, apply for PR through the Permanent Residence Portal.
Reference: Non-Express Entry PNP Streams Application Process
2. Express Entry PNP Streams (Enhanced Nominations)
The Express Entry-based PNP streams are integrated into the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for three economic immigration programs:
How it works:
Create an Express Entry Profile: Start by creating an Express Entry profile and entering the pool of candidates. Your profile is scored based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points for age, education, language skills, and work experience.
Notification of Interest (NOI): If your profile aligns with the provincial requirements, a province may send you a NOI through the Express Entry system. This is the first step toward getting a provincial nomination.
Some provinces like BC has an EOI based system where an EOI is submitted on BC Government’s portal alongside a valid EE profile number. The candidate then gets an ITA by BC (if meets the cur-off score) followed by an application for BC nomination. Once approved, the province updates the candidate’s EE profile with a Nomination message. The candidate goes into the EE profile and accepts the Nomination and 600 points are added.
Submit a Provincial Nominee Application: In provinces like Ontario an Alberta, once you receive the NOI, you will need to apply to the province by submitting the necessary documents, including proof of work experience, education, and language test scores.
600 CRS Points Boost: If your provincial application is approved, you’ll receive a nomination, which adds 600 points to your CRS score. This nearly guarantees you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.
Receive an ITA: With the added 600 points, you are likely to be invited to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry PNP draw.
Step 4: After Receiving a Nomination
After receiving a nomination, the next step is applying for PR through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This includes:
Medical and Security Checks: All applicants must undergo medical exams and provide police certificates to prove they are admissible to Canada.
Submitting Additional Documents: Ensure all required documents (e.g., birth certificates, proof of funds, etc.) are submitted on time.
For Express Entry-based PNP nominations, accept the PNP nomination in your Express Entry portal to receive the extra 600 points.
For Non-Express Entry PNP nominations, submit your PR application using the Permanent Residence Portal.
Success Strategies for a Strong PNP Application
Tailor Your Application: Highlight how your skills align with the province’s labor market needs and show a genuine intent to settle in the province.
Improve Your Profile: If your CRS score is lower than needed, consider retaking language tests, gaining additional work experience, or pursuing further education to boost your score.
Stay Informed: Keep up with provincial immigration policy changes by regularly checking official websites and news updates. Immigration policies can change frequently, affecting eligibility and stream availability.
Applying for a PNP can be your gateway to a new life in Canada. By following the right steps—from researching the best province to submitting a complete and compelling application—you can ensure a smooth process and improve your chances of success.
FAQs about Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
1. What is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to immigrate to Canada and settle in a specific province. Each PNP is tailored to the province's specific economic and labor needs.
2. What is the CRS cut-off for PNPs?
Each Express Entry-linked PNP stream has a different Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off. For instance, while a nomination adds 600 points, provinces like Ontario and Alberta have varying CRS thresholds to issue Notifications of Interest (NOIs).
Some provinces, like Saskatchewan and Manitoba, use their own points-based system rather than the CRS to rank candidates. Other provinces may have PNP streams that do not rely on any points system, focusing instead on specific labor needs or targeted occupations.
Reference: Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream CRS Requirements | Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Points System
3. How do I apply for a PNP?
To apply for a PNP, the process will depend on whether you're applying through an Express Entry-linked PNP stream or a Non-Express Entry stream:
Express Entry-based PNP:
First, create an Express Entry profile.
If you meet a province’s criteria, you may receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) or follow an Expression of Interest (EOI) based system on the province’s portal.
Apply to the province for nomination. Once nominated, you'll receive 600 additional CRS points, practically guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Non-Express Entry PNP:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) directly to the province. If selected, you will apply for the provincial nomination through the province’s process.
Once nominated, you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency through a online application or rarely a paper-based application.
For more detailed guidance on applying, read our Guide to Applying for PNPs (link to blog #2).
4. Do I need proof of funds for PNP?
It depends on the program. Proof of funds is typically required to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your family once you settle in Canada. If you already have a valid job offer or are applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), proof of funds is not required. For PNP programs that don’t require a job offer, Proof of funds is typically required.
Reference: Proof of Funds for Express Entry
5. Can I apply to more than one PNP?
Yes, you can apply to more than one PNP at the same time, but you can only accept one nomination. If you receive multiple nominations, you must choose one and decline the others.
6. Can I apply for a PNP without a job offer?
Yes, several provinces offer PNP streams that do not require a job offer. These include streams like Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream or Saskatchewan’s Occupation In-Demand Stream, which are designed to attract individuals with skills and experience in high-demand occupations.
7. Do I need to live in the province that nominates me?
Yes, if you receive a nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you are expected to live and work in the province that nominated you. Moving to another province too soon after gaining permanent residence could raise concerns with immigration authorities about your original intent.
Reference: Living in the Nominating Province
8. What happens if my CRS score is below the cut-off?
If your CRS score is below the cut-off for the federal Express Entry draws, you can improve your chances by seeking a provincial nomination. A provincial nomination through an Express Entry-based stream will add 600 points to your CRS score, practically guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
9. What happens after receiving a provincial nomination?
After receiving a provincial nomination, you apply for permanent residency through IRCC:
Express Entry-based PNP: For Express Entry-based PNP nominations, accept the PNP nomination in your Express Entry portal to receive the extra 600 points. This will likely result in an ITA in the next draw.
Non-Express Entry PNP: You submit your application for permanent residence using the Permanent Residence Portal or a paper-based process.
Reference: Post-Nomination Steps
10. How long does the PNP process take?
The processing time varies depending on the province and the stream.
PNP process is split into two steps:
Receive a nomination from the province
Using the nomination, apply for PR with the federal government
Express Entry-based PNP streams tend to be faster, while Non-Express Entry streams may take longer.
11. Can international students apply for a PNP?
Yes, many provinces offer International Graduate Streams for students who have completed their studies in Canada. These streams usually require a degree or diploma from a Canadian institution, and in some cases, a job offer in the province may be necessary.
Reference: Ontario International Student Stream
12. Do I need to provide language test results for a PNP?
Most PNP streams, especially those aligned with Express Entry, require you to provide valid language test results in either English or French. Non-Express Entry streams may have lower language requirements or might not require language test results at all, depending on the province and the stream.
13. How do I choose which PNP to apply for?
Choosing the right PNP depends on several factors, including your skills, work experience, and the specific labor market needs of each province. Some provinces prioritize specific occupations, while others focus on international graduates or business investors.
To help simplify this decision-making process, our future tool will assess your profile and suggest the best PNP options accordingly. Stay tuned for more information!
Conclusion
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer a range of pathways to Canadian permanent residency, whether through Express Entry-based streams or traditional non-Express Entry streams. By understanding the different processes, requirements, and benefits, you can better navigate your PNP application. Use the resources provided to explore your options and take the first step toward making Canada your new home.